Rubber flap



Mach l5 1927'. G. H. w-l-lEA'l-LE/v RUBBER FLAP Filed Dec. 5, 1923 Patented Mu. 15,192'11. i '1,621,388v

UNl'rEasTA'rss PATENT OFFICE.

anonce n. www, or c'nrcaoo, rrnmors.

im ILA?. Application llied December S, 1023. Serial-llo. 878,135.

This invention relates to pneumatic tires, diameter and is pulled over a ring (not and more particularly to a flap for use shown) and is then vulcanized.

therein. Thehole 13 (Fig. 3) 'svprovided for the 4Among the several objects of the invention tire valve. i

5 may be noted the provision of a simple an Y In operation, .the flap floats so far as e0 inexpensive floating iiap adapted to rotect the rim is concerned; that is, it is not vsethe inner tube from the rim and be and `cured tothe rim.; save that the tire valve y the provision of a iiap so` constructed as assing through the flap prevents the flap to minimize depreciation of iiap and adjam creeping.

cent partsidurin severeservice conditions.' The contour ofthe ilap (Fig. 3) prior to si Qther objects w1 be in partvobvious and installation is concave inwardly and .is m` art pointed out hereinafter., approximately the same as the contour that v e invention accordingly comprises-the the apv has after installation. Hence, as features of construction, Acombinations of indicated in Fi 1, a resilient fillet is formed l5 elements, and arran ements of parts, which for the inner tu at the beads of the casing. I0 are exemplified in t e constructions heren- The possibility of pinching at the bead 1s i after described and the scope ofthe a plicathus avoided, so far as the iiap cannot -tion of which will Abe indicatedv in the ollowcollapse upon itself or sha itself to pinch ing claims. the tube as theA tube expan l 'In the accompanying draw' in which Furtherm re, the fact that the shape of 76 is shown one of various possi le embodithe ap is nerally the same after installaments of this invention, tion as be ore said installation, prevents f Fig. 1 is a section through a tire showing undue flexing of the flag such as often causes th ila of the invention in cross-section in cracks and Afolds where y a tube is pinched.

place t erein;g Another advantage of making the iiap 8i) Fig. 2 is an elevation of a complete flap form a fillet such as has been indicated 1s priorto installation in the tire and o that the fillet rovides an air pocket there- Fig. 3'is a section of the iap on the line under Fig. 1 Awhich pocket cushions the 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the valve hole. iiap an tube as its movingl load is applied. Similar' reference characters indicatecori'e-v Chafing and/or sticking t e tube and flap 85 sponding parts throughout the several views is thus'reduced.

of the drawings. Y In view of the above` it will be seenv that Referring now more particularly to Fig. l, ,the several objects of the invention are there is illustrated at 1 the casing of a pneuachieved and other advantageous results matic tire mounted on a rim 3. The sides attained.

5.of the rim engage the base portions 7 of As many changes could be made in carrythe tire and reta 'them,- against spreading ing out the above constructions without de apart. y partingv from the scope of the invention, it Between the two portions 7 of the base of 1s intended that all matter contained in the 40 the tire is placed a flap 11. The flap protects above description ,or shown in the .accom- 95 theinner tube from contact with the rim panying drawingsY shall be interpretedY as and from any possible pinchinsby the base ..111 tive and not in a hmiting sense. portions of the tire|` and aior protection I to the inner tube 9 against injury by.. thev "1. An vall-.rubben endless- Vand one-piece' g tools that are used inJ'putting the tire onthe tire ap having a sectional contour rior to 100 rim or taking it o. installation, generally the same as t e con--y The flap is constructed al1 of. rubber or tour after' the installation, adapted to pro-v `rubber composition; that is, without any tect the inner'tube from contact with the fabric. rim and from Ipinching by the tire base, said The Hap is less expensive than ltypes contour comprising aconcave section having 105 ordinarily used heretofore', and'is not 'liable an opposite convex side formm a smoot to rot, as is the case *with tire vflaps con- `fillet, at said tire base but not fo lowing the structed partly of fabric or the like. I outline of the tire section at said base under The flap is preferably made in a tubing conditions of inflation, said flap 'be' rela- P machine, and is then lapped at the proper vely thickat the central portion ereof 110 andtapering toward the edges thereof, and portion thereof and tapering at the edges adapted to bestretched over the edges'. of a substantially to points, whereby said' Hp; -rlm to be inserted between the inner tube when in an inflated tire, does not Contact and sald r1m and to extend up' on the inner with the beadedge of the tire at the rim on 15V surface of the base portion of said tire. whlch 'the tire 1s mounted and whereby a 2; An all-.rubben endless nd one-piece resilient fillet is formed for the tube across installation, generallythe same as the con- In testimony whereof. I have signed my l -tour after the installatiomsaid 4contour comname to this specification this 27th day of 20 0 prising a concave surface and a convex sur- November, 1923. t y

face, the flap being thick atA the central GEORGE H. WHEATLEY.- 

